RuPaul: "Montreal to Americans is sex city. It's such a sensual place."

The rest, as they say, is history.

Today drag lovers worldwide know the RuPaul story, and everybody else has seen it on A&E's Biography.

But the rise of RuPaul - referred to as "she" in drag and as "he" out of drag - really began in 1987 with her arrival in NYC.

"My first Wigstock was 1989. I was there when Lady Bunny [who also performs at Divers/Cité next week] did drag for the first time," RuPaul told Hour this week. "Now it's a drag queen festival. But it used to be a bohemian thing. Drag for me was a commentary on life. 'You mean I'm not supposed to do this? Well, fuck you.' Then I found out I could make a lot of money doing it."

RuPaul was voted "Queen of Manhattan 1990" by NYC club owners and did a scene-stealing cameo in the B-52's Love Shack video. Envious of the Billboard success of her friends Dee-Lite, she recorded her own album, 1993's Supermodel of the World. When the album topped the charts worldwide, Elton John came calling with his duet Don't Go Breaking My Heart and RuPaul landed gigs hosting her own VH-1 TV series as well as top-rated morning-drive radio shows in both L.A. and NYC.

Along the way, RuPaul also became the "First Face of M.A.C.," raising $22-million to fight AIDS during her six years with the Canadian cosmetics company.

Still, RuPaul's favourite moment was watching television with his mom when Rolling Stone writer Kurt Loder introduced RuPaul the supermodel, her first time ever on MTV.

"Coming up next, she's, er, ah... He's 6'4" and supermodel of the world," Loder said.

"No one predicted I could make a living out of this except me and my [late] mother," RuPaul says. "My mother was a real rebel. She was Creole from New Orleans and our family was from Nova Scotia. I believe my life lessons [growing up] as a black man helped me deal with the adversity of life as a drag queen."

Grabbing life by the balls

RuPaul the man

RuPaul - called a sissy by neighbourhood kids - has come a long way from the basketball courts of his youth. "There was a minute I was sort of good with basketball, but I could never deal with nasty attitudes [on the court]. Those boys can be nastier than the meanest queen."

All these years later, RuPaul remains disappointed many people still haven't learnt that we're all in this together.

"America has not changed. Our President ran a [re-election] campaign based on fear. It's us and against them [gays at home and terrorists abroad]. We have succumbed to fear. Screaming 'Fire!' in a theatre is not nice, but it works."

As for the gay community, RuPaul quips, "We are more segregated today than we were years ago. I remember there was such optimism at my first Gay Pride in 1982. That optimism has diminished and I have promised to help bring it back."

RuPaul won't likely be stoking those fires on America's new gay cable TV channel LOGO, owned by MTV Networks.

"I've been in this game a long time to know that a lot of the discrimination comes from gay people, and that's reflected in LOGO's new TV lineup," RuPaul says firmly. "It's very straight. Gay culture these days is very polarized. We don't celebrate diversity enough.

"I took a hip-hop class in San Francisco [recently] and afterwards I told the story of Stonewall, a subject very dear to me because it was those queens who had the guts to throw that first brick [at the police]. It's my goal to never let those brave drag queens be forgotten. That type of tenacity is what led this movement from the very beginning. That type of tenacity is lacking today. That's why the [gay liberation] movement is so fucking lame right now."

Unseating the system

Many point the finger at RuPaul as a symbol of the mainstreaming of gay culture. But radical Ru - who notes the men he dates have "usually dated women because they are men who see outside the box" - is having none of that.

"Our culture still can't creatively get beyond two men loving one another. The last taboo for humankind has to do with men playing with girls' things and men loving men. We can't move forward. We are at a standstill."

RuPaul adds, "I know the difference between American League and National League baseball. But I have to explain the difference between transsexual and transvestite all the time. Our culture has a vested interest in not understanding us. It would unseat their belief system so much they'd have to reformat the whole fucking computer."

Still, gay life isn't always obvious, even to those closest to us. Once, on Oprah, RuPaul explains, "My sister Rozy said she didn't know [when they were younger] that I was gay and Oprah was like, 'Really? Come on!' I also just assumed that everybody knew."

Today, if there's anyone left who doesn't know that RuPaul - now immortalized in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum - remains the world's number one supermodel, well, let's get one thing straight:

"I love dick!" RuPaul tells me, and then lets out a big, hearty laugh.

RuPaul

Headlines Le Grand Bal Disco at Parc Émilie-Gamelin (Berri Square) on July 31, 10 p.m. Free admission (though your donations will help pay the bills). Surf to www.diverscite.org.

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

More RuPauls needed to open the door     You go, girl! RuPaul is an amazing example of positive gay culture because he's out -it's unfortunate for both him and straight women that there are still so many gay men lurking in the closet. Gay men who refuse to come out, and who continue to date straight women, not only lack self-respect but are also hurting women seeking long-term relationships and intimacy with what presents itself as a straight man. In the spirit of gay pride week, please stop hiding. Mascarading is for Hallow'een. Back to RuPaul and his thoughts on the "mainstreaming" of gay culture: he's right, gays are more segregated than they have ever been..e.g. Montreal is supposed to be North America's most open city. Yet, still, visiting entertainers refer to the beautiful women but never how open a city we are...we're actually to blame. Montreal should never have developed and encouraged a gay village. Like RuPaul said, people still don't understand that we're all in this together. Having a gay village is the ultimate in segregation. It's saying we, in mainstream society, recognize your existence but we still think your lepers... here's an official colony...enjoy yourselves but don't bother us. Perhaps this is the reason why there are still so many men in the closet. There's a glimmer of hope with the passing of the "Gay Marriage Bill" last month. But, on another level, individual churches still have the right to decide whether or not they will marry two homosexuals/two lesbians at their altar...more segregation? Perhaps even demanding that men everywhere come out is, in itself, segregation-ary. We need more RuPauls and more supportive mothers to make this society truly open. Happy Gay Pride.
Heather Lee	{27 votes}	July 25th, 2005
No one knows like ru paul.     Popular gay culture has become the diluted commodity that mainstreamed rap has become, possessing that so-called 'naughty-at-the-centre' gloss guaranteed to sell whatever objects of fascination becomes attached to it. This becomes no more apparent than television shows fed in the numbed brains of the upper middle class, that doesn't celebrate the uniqueness of gay love but creates the enduring stereotypes that gay men are 'sissies' and 'faggish'. shows such as will and grace and of course queer eye for the straight guy are nothing more than useless candy designed to distract upper middle class from the scars of an economic system built upon fear and loathing. while gay culture and black culture apparently have their moments in the sun, the essence of power remains a good ol' boys network of priviledged white men and some white women holding the purse strings. While this thought may come off as sounding pessimistic, i believe there exists a degree of truth to what i am offering here for consideration. in the day, rap was a force simply because rap pointed out the imbalances that was occurring within and without black culture. then along comes bill cosby's watered down television show that celebrated black boredom: he was the perfect black doctor father, married to the perfect black lawyer mother, whose perfect black children never had moments of personal doubts, nor inner struggles. this show created by a man legendary, in my book, for creating that legendary saturday morning cartoon show fat albert. But then hollywood had to greenlight a fat albert movie that wasn't worth anything. Gay culture has fallen into that familiar cosby-syndrome. while being embraced by a numbed mainstreamed attention damaged culture, gay culture can't truly unsheathed itself without setting a firestorm in the numbed minds of mainstream culture. ru paul has bravely pointed out the internal problems existing within gay culture, and as black culture, must decide where to go.
Gary Womac	{76 votes}	July 21st, 2005
All in Good Fun!     Man, I haven't heard anything about RuPaul in such a long time. It's good to see her back in the spotlight, and showing people that it's okay to do what you choose. I personally think RuPaul has been a good influence on our culture as she opened up people's eyes to gay culture and transvestites. There are a lot of she-men out there that can't pull it off anything like the way RuPaul can! RuPaul, people, is one pretty fella!
Meghna Patel	{21 votes}	July 23rd, 2005
He/She has Worked!     Super-Duper #1 Supermodel! I was amazed in reading this article about RuPaul. Not only due to all of her accomplishments, but also, by simply seeing the name of the article's author - Beyoncé Burnett - one can't help but mentally comment, indeed, this cover girl does have an uncanny resemblance to an American R&B artist people call only'Beyoncé'! But hey, that's neither here nor there is it? As it is, this Rupaul character is nothing short of fabulously unique. I mean RuPaul not only looks gorgeous as a woman, but he = not a bad looking man either...talk about the best of both worlds! At one point, Ru talked about being jealous of his friends Dee-Lite etc. who had been topping the charts and stuff. This statement made me wonder...is Dee-Lite another man in drag performing with her posse of men? She did after all wear an incredible amount of make-up, and she too was absolutely fabulous! Whatever happened to her anyways huh? Cuz you know, her groove never left my heart....! All right, well so now you know. I am an official RuPaul (Supermodel with a cause) fan, and have been for some time. So all there is to say now is - Honey, you'd better work!
Dawn Manhertz	{13 votes}	July 23rd, 2005
RuPaul     Ahhhh, RuPaul - runway supermodel, campy singing sensation, drag-queen par extrordinaire - for a time, her face and sassy attitude were everywhere and, truth to be told, she made the most of her 15 minutes of fame to forge a still thriving career as well as generate a considerable amount of money/awareness in the fight against AIDS. Have to give props to the larger than life RuPaul public drag-queen persona, as well as the man behind the make-up for living his dream and making a difference in the lives of so many!
Mark St Pierre	{7 votes}	July 23rd, 2005
Looks Great     You have to admit RuPaul absolutely looks great. I've always found him interesting in interviews. He has great presence and doesn't care what anybody thinks. The fact that he raised so much money for Aids, makes him also a very respectable and good person. Keep up the good work and am happy he's back...
Rita Reale	{19 votes}	July 22nd, 2005
Life is simply beautiful     People like RuPaul are a living proof that life can be simply beautiful even if you are different. In fact, RuPaul's life is a great exemple to show that life as beeing different can be fun, exciting and respected. You can be gay, transexual, transvestite, what ever you really wished to be AND THAT you dont need to drive back your real personality to be happy. SCREAM OUT LOUD WHO YOU ARE
Isabelle Gélinas	{2 votes}	July 22nd, 2005
Admit it! You thought he was hot!     Am I the only one who looked at the cover of Hour, and thought "Damm! What a hot chick!"? Not that I would admit that in public. But somehow, on the internet, it seems less embarrassing. Anyway, it is good to see her, umm, him out there and doing what makes him happy!
Eric Wilson	{5 votes}	July 22nd, 2005
Rupaul is great     I thought this article was very good and I found out more things about RuPaul and I'm gay and have 2 CDs of her/him, but they should of talk a bit more about the new album, its one of the best dance album I bought this year, and his remake of People are People/Depeche Mode is excellent, the rest of the album I give 4/5. She is divine, long live the drag queen!
Rejean Roy	{3 votes}	July 22nd, 2005
Work it girl     Wow what makeup can do. You can't even tell that Ru Paul is a man in drag. After reading the article I can conclude that Ru Paul has character and is extremely direct and that's what makes her so interesting . She is a diva indeed...definitely knows how to work it!
Marcello Furgiuele		July 29th, 2005
Rupaul rules     The fact that Rupaul said "Montreal to Americans is sex city. It's such a sensual place." makes me like her even more. It is great to see that she is back and ready to conquer the world. At her height she sure can.She truly is a supermodel and all round entertainer.
Ryan Lobo	{3 votes}	July 23rd, 2005
Quite the lady     Ok just one comment.. I know she's a he but you have to admit that she looks gorgeous.. A diva through and through.
Tanya Parvez	{4 votes}	July 21st, 2005
Ru Paul Is Back     It's been a really long time since I've seen RuPaul on TV and I have been a supporter of her for a very long time. The first time that I ever seen RuPaul was when she was at the American music awards and I believed that she was a real woman and later I found out from a friend that she was really a man and I was surprised because she really looks like a real woman. RuPaul has lived a very extraordinary life and has had a lot of pain in her childhood. I'm glad that the Hour has put up a picture of how Ru Paul looks like a man because I never seen a recent picture of RuPaul as a man.
Carmela Sicurella	{5 votes}	July 21st, 2005
You go Girl     It is great to see Rupaul back in the spotlight. She has a big personality with a lot of flair. From the article you can tell she says it like it is. I am glad she doesn't hold any punches. I think she will be great as the headliner for Le Grand Bal Disco. As Rupaul says " You Better Work"
Selena Lobo	{4 votes}	July 21st, 2005

Write your comment! please follow these guidelines

Information requested in blue will remain confidential   [privacy policy] Please indicate your real first and last names.

First name :

Last name :

Your email :

Confirm your email :

Title of your comment (max. 150 characters)   Your comment (max. 2000 characters)  characters remaining       LIMIT PER PERSON : one comment per article per member. Thank you. Your comment will be read by our approval team and, if it is approved, will be posted on the website within 24 hours. It could also be published, along with your name, in the printed version of Hour magazine and on any of our partner websites. In order to present the highest quality of comments, Hour reserves the right to refuse certain submissions. Any plagiarism will entail the entire removal of the member’s profile. Hour is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the members.